Colleges face financial pressure from declining enrollment and rising costs, while students increasingly prioritize career-ready, flexible degrees. Experts suggest rethinking the traditional major in favor of customizable, modular programs that better align with workforce demands.
Indiana’s public colleges are cutting or consolidating about 400 of the state’s 2,200 degree programs ahead of a new law taking effect July 1. The move, aimed at steering students toward high-demand fields, is part of Gov. Mike Braun’s agenda to align higher education with workforce needs.
Officials with Texas A&M, State University System of Florida, University System of Georgia, University of Tennessee System, University of North Carolina System and University of South Carolina System will create a new agency to accredit them. They are calling the new body the Commission for Public Higher Education.
Over half of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities asked a state governing board to approve increases in what students must pay in tuition and fees for the upcoming school year.
The federal student loan system is facing a massive overhaul, which could result in less college aid. But higher education is only getting more expensive.To bridge the gap, some schools are offering substantial financial aid packages.
High school and community college students in Illinois will soon be able to earn automatic admission to most state public universities based on their GPA—without even having to apply.
As confidence in higher education erodes, community colleges must clearly show how they support student success and drive local impact. By tracking credentials, wages and community outcomes, they can demonstrate lasting value—especially for underserved populations.
